Drowning Investigated

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Mendon, OH - Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey this morning announced the investigation into the death of 20 month old Evan Quinn, 312 South Washington Street, Mendon. Mercer County Central Dispatch received a call at 9:00 PM from James Quinn, the baby’s father stating that he could not find his son.

Responding deputies were told that Evan was playing with toys by an above ground pool in the backyard. James and Karen, the parents, were on the patio watching him. They took their attention away from him for a very short time. When they looked back, they didn’t see him. At that time, thinking that Evan had walked around the pool, they sent one of the older children to look for him behind the pool. When he was not located, they looked in the pool and searched the surrounding area and inside the house and could not locate him. After 10-15 minutes of searching, they decided to call 9-1-1 for help.

Deputies requested Mendon Fire Department to be paged out to assist in the search. Responders searched the area and rechecked the swimming pool. The swimming pool water was very cloudy and visibility into the water was poor. A responder then noticed what looked to be a foot in the bottom of the pool. Immediately a responder got into the water and had to be directed to the area because the visibility into the water was so reduced that even in the water he could not see the child. The child was located on the bottom of the middle of the pool.

Responders immediately called for an EMS squad and started CPR. Evan was transported to Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Mary’s, where he was pronounced dead.

“This is a terrible accident,” stated Sheriff Grey, “my heart goes out to the parents. Deputies are continuing their investigation, but there is no indication or suspicion that this is anything except a tragic accident.”

At the scene assisting were Mendon Fire Department, Rockford EMS, Celina Police Department, and many friends and neighbors who came to assist in the search.